FinalSocialDarwinisminJackLondon

毕业论文（设计）1.Introduction1.1 Background and definition of Social DarwinismAccording to the Encyclopedia,Social Darwinism is a theory that persons,groups,andraces are subject to the same laws of natural selection as Charles Darwin had perceived in plantsand animals in nature.According to the theory,which was popular in the late 19th and early 20thcenturies,the weak were diminished and their cultures delimited,while the strong grow in powerand in cultural influence over the weak.IHerbert Spencer,the father of Social Darwinism as an ethical theory,was thinking interms of elitist's "might makes right"sorts of view long before Darwin published his theory.However,Spencer quickly adapted Darwinian ideas to his own ethical theories.The concept ofadaptation allowed him to claim that the rich and powerful were better adapted to the social andeconomic climate of the time,and the concept of natural selection allowed him to argue that itwas natural,normal,and proper for the strong to thrive at the expense of the weak.After all,heclaimed,that is exactly what goes on in nature every day.Social Darwinism is an application of the theory of natural selection to social,political,and economic issues.In its simplest form,Social Darwinism follows the mantra of "the strongestsurvives,"and it includes the human society's rules.1.2 Background of Jack LondonJack London (1876-1916),the prolific American novelist and short story writer,whoseworks deal romantically with the overwhelming power of nature and the struggle for survival.Jack London was born on January 12,1876,in San Francisco.Jack London,whose lifesymbolized the power of will,was the most successful writer in America in the early 20thCentury.His vigorous stories of men and animals against the environment,and survival againsthardships were drawn mainly from his own experience.An illegitimate child,London passed his2